New stuff from Ralliart – on a PHEV.

Mitsubishi has an extraordinary legacy of performance cars, the most famous of which were evolutions of the Lancer sedan.

These giant-killing Lancer Evos were developed and marketed under the Ralliart sub-brand, and Mitsubishi is struggling to keep that name relevant.

The latest offering from Mitsubishi is the Vision Ralliart Concept, which looks very purposeful, but remains an Outlander – in reality.

Where Ralliart was once a byword for trick differentials and outrageous turbocharged engines, the sub-brand is now simply a cosmetic presence on Mitsubishis.

The Vision Ralliart Concept is distinguished by huge 22-inch wheels, which hide larger brake discs and 6-pot callipers. Why an Outlander would need massive wheels (which debit ride quality) and a significant brake upgrade, remain a mystery.

To accommodate those enormous wheels, the Vision Ralliart Concept features bolder wheel arches. Mitsubishi claims the larger wheels and tyres enhance cornering grip, but they will also increase rolling resistance. Not ideal on a PHEV, such as the Outlander.

Beyond the wheel wells, Mitsubishi has finished the Vision Ralliart Concept with some lower bumper reshaping, front and rear, and a sealed-off front grille. Signature Ralliart styling details, such as scarlet mudflaps, are disappointingly absent on this new Vision Ralliart Concept.

The strategy with Ralliart appears to be a repositioning, from limited-edition Mitsubishi performance vehicles to a role as an in-house accessories brand for Triton. It will be a difficult sell for historic Mitsubishi Lancer Evo followers.

It also creates a marketing problem for Mitsubishi, which no longer competes in rallying, but wishes to continue using the Ralliart moniker.

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